How charities are fighting fuel poverty with Energy Redress funding

The Energy Redress Scheme awards money to charities across the UK, to help people in vulnerable situations and prevent them from falling into fuel poverty. The scheme’s latest funding round has awarded over £5 million to 28 charities with projects that aim to help people across England, Scotland and Wales.

How does the Energy Redress scheme work?

Energy Saving Trust was appointed by Ofgem, which collects Redress funding from energy companies and suppliers that have breached rules. Registered charities can apply to the Energy Redress Scheme during each round of funding, with successful applications getting access to project funding to deliver energy-related projects that will benefit people across the UK.

Over £12.3 million has so far been redistributed to charities providing innovative energy advice and support projects since the scheme launched in 2018, directly benefitting almost 20,000 households and generating greater awareness of support available to individuals within those communities.

Recent Funding via Energy Redress

The most recent Energy Redress funding has gone to 28 projects that aim to reduce fuel poverty and increase the awareness of important advice and well-being to people in vulnerable positions within their communities, helping them heat and power their homes.

Katie Reville, Energy Redress Development Officer commented:

“As someone who has worked in the energy advice world for a long time, helping to administer the Energy Redress Scheme has opened my eyes to just how many different organisations are involved in supporting vulnerable households with energy issues and helping them to increase their income and overcome debt. It’s great to be part of a process that enables charities to reduce fuel poverty in their areas and to help people to live healthier, happier lives.”

Venus Working Creatively, who are starting a project to support vulnerable women with energy advice

Caudwell Children, whose funding will support families and children with disabilities with energy saving measures.

National Energy Action aims to support over 7,000 vulnerable households and explore ways to maximise the benefits of having solar PV systems on their homes.

What about COVID-19?

The Energy Redress Scheme is continuing to allocate funding to successful projects to ensure vulnerable households have access to support during this difficult time. All of the successful charities with projects in progress, or those just beginning are working hard to adjust their working practices to comply with government guidance. This means any face-to-face advice or fuel poverty awareness events are out, and online help-centres or remote advisors are in.

Graham Ayling, Energy Redress Senior Project Manager explained:

“The grants we have announced today will support frontline charities at a crucial time. The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting people in vulnerable situations especially hard and putting many more people in a position where they struggle to pay their fuel bills. The charities that the Energy Redress Scheme supports are working hard to adapt to social distancing and continue providing support to those who need it most.”

What’s next for the Energy Redress scheme?

Further Energy Redress scheme funding rounds will take place over the next couple of years, giving more charities the opportunity to support their communities with warmer home and energy support, along with the opportunity for current charities on the scheme to re-apply and extend their services.